Kent County Criminal History

Kent County criminal history records are maintained by county and state agencies on Maryland's Eastern Shore, near the Chesapeake Bay. The Maryland CJIS Central Repository is the only source for an official certified background check. For public court records, the Kent County Circuit Court in Chestertown holds filings going back to 1989 and beyond. This page explains what each source provides, the fees involved, and the correct contact for each type of record request.

Kent County Circuit Court Criminal Records

The Kent County Circuit Court is at 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620. Phone is 410-778-7460. Clerk Sherise L. Kennard oversees court records. The clerk's page is at courts.state.md.us/clerks/kent. The court handles felonies, serious misdemeanors, and civil matters for all of Kent County.

Court records here are public in most cases. You can search them online for free through the Maryland Judiciary Case Search portal. That system covers cases filed since 1989. It shows charges, case numbers, court dates, and final dispositions. Sealed and expunged records are not in this system. Paper copies cost $0.50 per page at the clerk's counter.

The clerk's office cannot run criminal background checks. That is exclusively a CJIS function. For mail requests, send a written description of what you need along with a check or money order for copy fees to the address above.

CJIS Background Checks for Kent County

A certified Kent County criminal history check must go through DPSCS and the CJIS Central Repository. The cost is $18 for a state-only search. Adding the FBI check brings the fee to $38 or more. Processing typically runs 10 to 15 business days. The DPSCS background check page has current fee schedules and Form 015 for download.

Shown below is the Kent County Sheriff's Office, which serves as the primary local law enforcement contact for Kent County criminal history matters.

The Sheriff coordinates with state agencies and directs residents to the correct resources for criminal record requests.

Get fingerprinted on a Form 015 state card before mailing your request. Submit the card and fee to CJIS-CR, P.O. Box 32708, Pikesville, MD 21282-2708, or overnight to 6776 Reisterstown Road, Suite 102, Baltimore, MD 21215. Call 1-888-795-0011 to check processing status or ask questions. Fingerprinting is available through the DPSCS fingerprinting service page for authorized provider locations.

Kent County Sheriff Records and Fees

The Kent County Sheriff's Office is at 104 Vickers Drive Unit B, Chestertown, MD 21620. Phone is 410-778-2279. Fax is 410-778-7488. Email the office at sheriff@kentgov.org. The full website is at sheriff.kentcounty.com.

Sheriff Dennis Hickman handles records requests. His direct email is dhickman@kentgov.org and his cell is 443-480-3897. Command staff also includes Captain Harry Kettner (hkettner@kentgov.org) and Lieutenant Sean Maloney (smaloney@kentgov.org). All records requests should go through the Sheriff directly. Bring or provide a valid government-issued ID when requesting records.

Standard fees apply for document requests. A criminal investigation report costs $5.00. An incident report is $5.00. Traffic accident reports are also $5.00. These fees are separate from any fees associated with a CJIS background check. Payment method and format should be confirmed with the Sheriff's Office before submitting.

Kent County Criminal Records Access

A CJIS record covers criminal history statewide, not just Kent County cases. If someone was arrested in Chestertown and later prosecuted elsewhere, both may appear. The report includes arrest data, charges, disposition information, and sentencing where recorded.

Case Search is a free way to review public filings. It is not a substitute for a certified CJIS record and should not be treated as one. Results reflect what has been entered into the court system as of the last update, which may lag a few days behind actual events. Expunged records do not appear anywhere in the public system after processing is complete.

Expungement of Kent County Criminal Records

Eligible individuals may petition for expungement of certain criminal records under Maryland law. After a successful petition, the record is removed from public court files and from the CJIS database. What qualifies for expungement depends on the charge type, what happened in the case, and the time elapsed since the case closed.

File the petition at the Kent County Circuit Court in Chestertown. The filing fee is $30, though it may be waived in certain circumstances. The People's Law Library has free guides. The Maryland courts also offer resources at courts.state.md.us. Charges that ended in a guilty finding are generally not eligible unless specific newer provisions apply.

Sex Offender Registry and Additional Sources

The Maryland Sex Offender Registry is free and public. Search it at dpscs.maryland.gov for registered offenders in Kent County and statewide. No login or payment is required. The registry shows names, addresses, and offense information. It is updated on an ongoing basis and maintained separately from the general criminal history system.

The DPSCS main site at dpscs.maryland.gov is the best starting point for statewide records questions. The Maryland State Police at mdsp.maryland.gov can also assist with certain records. For legal help with court records, see courts.state.md.us/legalhelp/courtrecords.

Cities in Kent County

No cities in Kent County meet the population threshold for individual pages on this site.

Communities in Kent County include Chestertown, Galena, Millington, Rock Hall, and Betterton. All are served by the Circuit Court and Sheriff's Office in Chestertown.

Nearby Counties

Kent County borders Cecil, Queen Anne's, and Caroline counties on the Eastern Shore. Criminal records in those counties may be relevant for individuals with ties to multiple areas.